USDA approves disaster declaration for R.I. farmers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a disaster declaration for nine Massachusetts counties that will also benefit farmers in the adjacent Rhode Island counties of Bristol, Newport and Providence that suffered damage as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.
The declaration paves the way for farmers to seek financial assistance for their losses due to the severe weather.
“We are pleased the Obama administration has once again taken steps to help the state and we urge the USDA to expedite disaster assistance to our hard-working farmers who need assistance,” U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse said in a joint statement last month. “We also urge USDA to extend the declaration statewide to ensure that all farmers who need help can get recovery assistance.”
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack granted the disaster designation, making farmers in these counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the U.S. Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. The assistance includes emergency loans and the supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the designation to apply for emergency loan assistance. &#8226